Although both Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr. have avoid the physically unable to perform list, the New York Giants felt that now was the time to make another addition to their wide receiver corps. Once his flight lands, free agent James Jones will sign a one-year contract with the Giants, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
According to Rapoport, Jones' market wasn't that dry after all. He reportedly had four other teams interested in his services for the 2015 season.
Jones has experience playing in an offense very similar to the one that Giants OC Ben McAdoo is running. In fact, McAdoo and Jones were paired up during their time in Green Bay from 2007 through 2013.
Jones' familiarity with the offense and his opinion of both McAdoo and head coach Tom Coughlin played a major role in his decision to choose the Giants over his other potential suitors.
Jones is entering his age-31 season after a season in Oakland where he saw his yards per catch drop below the 10-yard mark for the first time in his career.
He finished the 2014 season with a career-high 73 catches, but they went for just 666 yards and six touchdowns. With Cruz, Beckham, Rueben Randle, Shane Vereen and Larry Donnell in the mix, the Giants need Jones for big plays and red zone action--they don't need another possesion wide receiver.
Jones' arrival will most likely serve as insurance for Cruz and Beckham, but the signing could also have a negative impact on promising sophomore wide receiver Corey Washington. During the Giants' spring practices, Washington had the opportunity to work with the first team offense and Eli Manning. Washington stood out in all drills, and several beat writers spoke glowingly of his presence in the red zone drills. He could be bumped down the depth chart now that Jones is on board.
(h/t @RapSheet)
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